Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Tuesday Sep 02, 2025
Tuesday, 2 September 2025 02:41 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Colombo stock market began the month of September yesterday with the benchmark index setting a new benchmark of 21,000-plus points amidst high turnover and foreign selling.
The ASPI gained by 65 points to close at 21,062 points – an all-time high. However the active S&P SL20 declined by over five points. Turnover was Rs. 13.2 billion involving 533.5 million shares.
Top blue chip JKH accounted for Rs. 5.5 billion of turnover with a volume of 237.3 million shares and Commercial Bank for Rs. 1.4 billion with 7.4 million shares, followed by Prime Lands Residencies (Rs. 504 million with 18.8 million shares).
The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) ended August with an over 7% gain, whilst the ASPI is up 32% year-to-date (YTD) and the S&P SL20 is up 24.87%.
First Capital said the Capital Goods sector was the primary driver behind the ASPI’s upward movement, with notable contributions from conglomerates. CFIN, DIMO, MELS, CARG, and RIL emerged as the top contributors to the index. Both retail and high-net-worth investor participation was high during the session. Turnover was 102% higher compared with the monthly average. The Capital Goods sector led turnover contributions with a 49% share, while the Banking and Real Estate sectors collectively accounted for 22% of the day’s total turnover.
Foreign investors remained net sellers, recording a net outflow of Rs. 1 billion.
NDB Securities said high net worth and institutional investor participation was noted in John Keells Holdings, Commercial Bank, and C T Holdings. Mixed interest was observed in Prime Lands Residencies, RIL Property, and Sierra Cables, whilst retail interest was noted in Tess Agro, SMB Leasing, and Muller & Phipps.
The Capital Goods sector was the top contributor to the market turnover (due to John Keells Holdings), whilst the sector index lost 0.51%. The share price of John Keells Holdings decreased by Rs. 0.30 to Rs. 23.
The Banking sector was the second highest contributor to the market turnover (due to Commercial Bank), whilst the sector index edged down by 0.10%. The share price of Commercial Bank closed flat at Rs. 194.75.
Prime Lands Residencies, C T Holdings, and RIL Property were also included amongst the top turnover contributors. The share price of Prime Lands Residencies moved up by Rs. 3 to Rs. 28. The share price of C T Holdings edged up Rs. 0.25 to Rs. 702. The share price of RIL Property appreciated by Rs. 1.90 to Rs. 30.90.
